Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning (18) calls a play from the line in the second quarter. The Denver Broncos played the Baltimore Ravens at Sports Authority Field at Mile High in Denver on Sept. 13, 2015.

Denver Broncos cornerback Aqib Talib (21) intercepts a Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco (5) pass and returns it for a touchdown in the third quarter. The Denver Broncos played the Baltimore Ravens at Sports Authority Field at Mile High in Denver on Sept. 13, 2015.

The defining moment of the Broncos’ offseason makeover came on the third play of the third quarter Sunday afternoon. Peyton Manning took a shotgun snap and fired into the left flat toward receiver Jordan Norwood. Ravens cornerback Jimmy Smith broke early, seeing no reason to stay deep with Demaryius Thomas. He rammed into Norwood, tipped the ball skyward and returned it for the game’s first touchdown.

Two hours into the season opener at Sports Authority Field, the Ravens had bloodied the Broncos’ nose. On this same field last January, under similar circumstances and bigger stakes, Denver cowered into the fetal position, bounced in the playoffs by Indianapolis.

Forget kicking and screaming.

On an 88-degree Sunday afternoon, the Broncos punched back in a 19-13 season-opening victory under first-year head coach Gary Kubiak. Cornerback Aqib Talib delivered a slug to the Ravens’ windpipe, picking off a pass and returning it for a touchdown, and safety Darian Stewart sealed the victory, intercepting Joe Flacco in the end zone with 28 seconds remaining.

It was Denver’s first victory without scoring an offensive touchdown since Sept. 17, 2006.

The Broncos want to be tough and physical, making their opponents remember the game by bruises.

“It was the greatest defensive football game I’ve ever been part of as a coach,” said Kubiak, whom general manager John Elway presented with the game ball. “You have to be able to win this way in this league. We have been working toward this mindset. It took everybody.”

Those words have been rarely uttered the past three seasons as the Broncos leaned on Peyton Manning. The 39-year-old fought through a clumsy performance, completing 24 of 40 passes for 176 yards. He threw an interception that was returned for a touchdown and failed to throw a touchdown in a season-opener for the first time since 2003.

Manning watched from the sideline, the outcome hanging in the balance as Flacco’s final pass hung in the air. Fans can be forgiven for squirming, ghosts of the 2012 Flacco Fling howling around the stadium.

Flacco identified Crockett Gillmore in man coverage against David Bruton, suspended safety T.J. Ward’s replacement. Flacco gave the 6-foot-6 Gilmore a chance to make a play. He liked the matchup. Not as much as Bruton.

“I have shown I can play against tight ends since last year,” Bruton said.

“I have got to come down with that ball,” countered Gillmore.

What happened next goes back to sweaty days in August. The Broncos spent a large chunk of practice working on red zone coverages. Defensive coordinator Wade Phillips dialed it up, freeing Stewart to roam. On the snap, cornerback Chris Harris thought Stewart might help Bradley Roby. Instead, he bolted for the ball.

Trailing 13-9 with the crowd growing restless — the loudest boos came after a forgettable drive at the 8:57 mark of the third quarter — the Broncos required a jolt. Talib provided the caffeine. On third-and-6 from his 45-yard line, Flacco made a decision belying his icy veins in big games. Bruton came free on a blitz, leading to a rushed throw right into Talib’s hands. Talib darted up field 51 yards for the Broncos’ only touchdown.

“It’s a DB’s dream to have that kind of pressure,” said Talib, whose seventh pick-six since 2009 is tops the in the NFL.

The Broncos’ game plan featured elasticity, featuring Manning in shotgun in 44 of 65 plays, not including kicks and punts. The willingness to adapt — the Broncos threw 40 times, but ran the ball 11 times on the final scoring drive — paid dividends when Denver put the game to sleep, siphoning 10 minutes, 56 seconds off the clock. Brandon McManus’ punctuated it with his fourth field goal. The 17-play drive, which began on the 4-yard line, was longer than any last season.

The Quarters

First quarter

The Broncos married two concepts in the first quarter. They ran the ball, but ran out of the shotgun in 15-of-19 plays. Peyton Manning misfired on a rollout that stalled the first drive. Brandon McManus kicked field goals of 56 and 57 yards for a 6-0 lead.

Second quarter

Manning was sacked three times in the first half. Opponents failed to sack him three times in a game last season. The Broncos’ defense produced two sacks, mauling Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco. McManus and Ravens kicker Justin Tucker traded field goals.

Third quarter

With hometown grousing growing over the sputtering offense, Broncos cornerback Aqib Talib electrified the crowd with an interception and return for a touchdown. Flacco threw a gift to Talib and he turned it 51 yards, his seventh pick-six since 2009.

Fourth quarter

With the game hanging in the balance, the Broncos’ defense stiffened. Baltimore wide receiver Steve Smith dropped a touchdown pass, and safety Darian Stewart sealed Denver’s season-opening victory with an interception in the end zone.

Troy is a former Denver Broncos and Colorado Rockies beat writer for The Denver Post. He joined the news organization in 2002 as the Rockies' beat writer and became a Broncos beat writer in 2014 before assuming the lead role ahead of the 2015 season. He left The Post in 2015.

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